Self-serving table and heater.



w. 1 FOX, SELF SERVING TABLE AND HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19, IQIS- 1,158,4W5. Patented Nev. 2 1915 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. 3'. FOX.

SELF SERVING TABLE AND HEATER. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19. 1915.

1,1 58,475. Patented Nw.:2, 1915. A

w '5 2 SHEETSSHEET 2- Fi .5 ma 2 /2 W ,4

Hr in y bottom plan view. Fig.

nnrrnn .L .iL in U WEBER 3. FOX, 03? SAN DIEGO, CALE'JTOENIEH 0 SELF-SEPJVENG TABLE Allll i 158 475 Specification of Letters Patent. Pat-ante You. 2, 1915.,

Application filed February 19, 1915. Serial No. 8,352.

- l J) aZZ whom at may concern.

Be it known that l, Vienna J. Fox, a citi zen of the United States, residing at San. Diego, in thecounty of San Diego and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Self-Serving Ta.- bles and heaters. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in tables and has particular reference to that class of de ices known as so f-serving tables.

The invention has for its object the provision of a device of this character including a rotary top whereby the vessels containing the food can be brought into convenient reach of anyone a the table, and embodying a novel construction of means to retain heat in certain edibles; desired to be kept hot after the different vessels containing them are placed up-on the table.

Other objects will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood from the following description, the invention residing in the specific construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawing forming a part of this application like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view. Fig. 2 is a is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. i4. is a top plan view with the inner-section of the table removed. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of "the pedestal. Fig. (5 is an enlarged verti ial sectional view.

As shown in one embodiment of the invention, the same essentially consists of a pedestal 5 having,the usual feet 6. The upper end of the pedestal is provided with diametrically disposed recesses 7 for the reception of the cross bars 8, the latter being secured in position by means of the bolts 9 as shown.

T he top of the table comprises what may of intersection, whereby the section 12 is mounted for rotation within the outer section 10, the sleeve 13 being held in position relatively to the cross bars 8 by means of the nut 13. The opening ll has arranged therein a collar 15 in which are fitted. the anti-frictional ball bearings 16. Each of the bars 8 at eipiidistant points from their point of intersection is provided with a re cess 17 in which is journaled the rollers 18, the latter lying slightly above the upper surface of the bars upon which the inner section supported for rotation. At diametrically opposite points, the inner section 12 is provided with small knobs 1 adapted to be grasped to rotate the same, whereby the various vessels containing the food, and supported thereon can be brought into convenient reaca of anyone at the table. lhe knobs of course can be secured to the section 12 in any suitable manner, but however it is preferred to have the knobs formed with a threaded shank 20 to screw into sockets formed in the section, whereby the knobs can be removed when desired.

\Vith aview of retaining the heat in certain foods desired to be kept hot after being placed upon the table, I make use of a numbor of disks 21 adapted to be arranged upon the top of the inner section 12 as shown, and capable of being shifted to any desired position thereon. It might here be stated that any number of these disks may be employed as found necessary, in consideration with the size oi the table. The disks are electrically heated, current wires having secured at one end thereof a plug 23 adapted to be received by a floor socket in the usual manner, passing up through the -pcdi-stal 5 and having secured at their opposite ends a swivel block 24- arranged in a. suitable re in the section 12. The block is held stationary within the recess by means of a post 28 which supports the latter, the post being secured in any suitable manner to cross bar. arranged within the pedestal 5. The block is cent-rally bored and receives the stem 29 of :1V multiple tap 25, the latter lying flush with the upper surface of the section 12. The stem 2!) is provided with spaced superimposed annular flanges 30 forming electrical contacts coiiperating with the contacts 31 carried by the free ends of the wires to close the circuit. Leading from the multiple tap 25 through the various disks 21 are independent current wires 26,

the latter having secured to their inner ends push plugs 27 adapted to be removably secured in the suitable sockets in the multiple tap 25, the opposite ends thereof be ing connected in any suitable manner with the disks 21,, The tap 25 is keyed to the section 12 of the table top as shown at 32, to rotate therewith, and by reason of the construction just described'the section 12 may be rotated without twist-ingor otherwise interfering with the current wire's 26. Each of'the wires 26 is provided with a separate cut-off 33 so that the disks can be inupon the disks.

dependently heated'as the occasion may require. Manifestly certain foods cantbe initially heated or cooked upon the table, as well as being kept hot for a considerable length' of time subsequent to being placed It is believed that the nature and advantages of the invention will be thoroughly understood from the foregoing v description without requiring a more extended explanation and therefore the same has been omitted. However, I desire to have it understood that the heating means mayvbe employed said-bars and comprising a stationary section and a revoluble center; electrically hollow block arranged within a central cess in said top, contacts arranged within said block, a multiple tap arranged within said block and keyed to said center to rotate therewith, current wires connected with said block, and wires leading from said tap to said heating elements.

3. A table including a pedestal, cross bars fixed thereto, a rotatable top supported by said bars, electrically heated disks arranged on said top, a hollow block fitted within a central recess in the top, aflanged post extending within said recess for supporting said block, contacts arranged within said block, a multiple tap rotatably mounted in said block, current Wires connected with said contacts, wires leading from said tap to said heating elements and detachably connected with the latter, and an independent cut-oft for each of said elements.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' WEBER J. FOX. Witnesses:

F. W. HEILMAN, J. A. HEILMAN. 

